Zambia Agribusiness Society

Copper is a heavy metal element which has very important functions in the cow’s body. These include building immunity, growth and reproduction. Copper gets into the body mainly through the food the animals eat and the water they drink. Feeds from some areas have low copper content. Their intake results in what is called primary or absolute copper deficiency. In some cases certain elements in the feed, if present in high concentrations, may interfere with availability of copper to the body. The elements may form fairly stable complexes with copper and prevent usage of the mineral by the body. This is termed as secondary copper deficiency because the levels of copper in the blood may be normal but the mineral itself available for use by the body is below average. Some of the elements that reduce copper availability to the body are Iron, Zinc, Molybdenum and Sulphates. The treatment I prescribed for Greg’s cattle is called symptomatic because I based the diagnosis on the sign

Although some people find it very easy to have healthy and fresh tomatoes in their garden, not all of us have the right information or talent to do so. In this article we’ll look at some of the mistakes to avoid while planting tomatoes, to increase their size, flavour, and overall plant output. 1. Forgetting to Harden Seedlings Failing to harden your seedlings is one of the common mistakes many people make. In fact, it is one of the most important things to ensure their survival. The “hardening process” enables seedlings to adapt to the changes in temperature or exposure to weather such as wind and rain. Here are some of the ways to help you in hardening the tomato seedlings. Gradually increase the seedling’s exposure to the natural environments about a month after germination. During the first days of exposure, keep plants out of direct sunlight and do not take them out in the cold. Expose them for a few hours and then take them back to their seedbed. For the best results,

 Meticulous planning is needed when one embarks on setting up a piggery project. Proper planning is essential in order to avoid making costly mistakes. The following factors should be carefully considered when starting a piggery project. 1. Capital It is difficult to be precise on the amount of capital required. The amount required depends on the intended scale of production. Capital is required for developmental purposes, i.e. building sites and purchasing breeding stock. Working capital is required for feed, drugs, labour and other running costs. It is important to remember that cash inflows will start eleven months after the start of the project in most cases. Peak capital requirements are between the tenth and eleventh month. It is therefore critical to have enough capital for the first year of operation. Sources of Capital It is advisable for an aspiring pig producer to use own resources or cheap funds for developmental purposes. Loans that carry high interests are not ide